About the Videos SECOND ANNUAL GERONTOLOGY CONFERENCE SAGE, by Nicole W. Brodsky,Ph.D. (Fanlight Productions) This video was produced by a young woman filmmaker who has a deep respect and interest in learning more about The Art AndScience Of Aging: the wisdom, experience, and creativity of some of our elders. She interviews and presents portraits of eight older adults who are active, engaged, and from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Each continues to pursue lifetime interests, as well as some new ones. Brodsky also showcases some programs that foster creativity and engagement for older adults. Through her carefully crafted film she demonstrates a deep appreciation of the gifts of age. Using “Creativity, Growth, And Social their own words and voices as they reflect on wisdom, creativity, meaning in life, these elders demonstrate that later life is still a time of creativity and contribution. Comments from reviewers: Transformation 20/20” “The best film I have seen! Shows the valuable contributions seniors have to give and the critical impact that sharing their experience and wisdom can have on their lives and the lives of others.” Maria Henley, Director of Foster Grand- parents program, Catholic Charities. “Nicole Brodsky portrays a deep understanding of what it is that is so fulfilling to both sides when younger folks February 16, 2007 8:30 am until5:00 pm remember the wisdom of our elder folks” Linda Emanuel, MD, Ph.D., Director of the Buehler Center on Aging, Northwestern University. Sponsored By GrandValley State University “Sage will spark discussion between the generations and will act as a catalyst for elder imagination and action” (Fanlight Productions) Offices Of Grants &Administration The Open Road: America Looks at Aging, by Nina Gilden Seavey (PBS). And GVSUBookstore This film premiered on PBS in July 2005. It is intended to be a wake-up call to Baby Boomers and the rest of society regarding the personal and social issues and challenges that the 'impending retirement' of the many millions of Baby Boomers brings with it. It uses stories of individuals confronting various obstacles and pursuing different opportuni- ties that arise from this stage of life to illustrate that the road is 'indeed wide open'. If the Boomers don't want to fall into their parents' retirement pattern, then they will have to create new ones. Society, too, needs to reframe its think- ing about later life and retirement. All sectors of society... 'will have to change how they function to accommodate the healthiest, wealthiest, best-educated and most active generation of retirees in American history”. This film features a number of national leaders such as Marc Freedman, President of Civic Ventures and James Firman, President and CEO of the National Council on the Aging. The film is intended to be part of a call to a meaningful dialogue that needs to occur nationally and locally on the aging population. Locally we hope to engage a wider range of commu- nity members in that dialogue, and to contribute to thinking about ways to prepare and shape the changes that are sure to occur. SECOND ANNUAL GERONTOLOGY CONFERENCE “Creativity, Growth, And Social Transformation 20/20” PERSONAL CONFERENCE PLANNER TIME SESSION ROOM LOOSEMORE AUDITORIUM & HAGER-LUBBERS EXHIBITION HALL 9:00 am Keynote: The Mature Mind Loosemore Auditorium Richard M. DeVos Center 10:45 am GrandRapids Pew Campus 12:00 pm Noon Lunch-Student Posters Hager-Lubbers Hall 401 W. Fulton Avenue 1:15 pm Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 2:45 pm 4:00 pm Plenary: How To Know An Elder Friendly Community When You See It. Loosemore Auditorium Registeronline at www.gvsu.edu/gsga or call616.331.7123 Attendees are welcome to participate in events throughout the day, Kristen Jack or to come just for the event(s) of particular interest to them. Regis- Kristen Jack, M.Ed., CHA, is an assistant professor for the Hospitality and Tourism Management program at tration will be open prior to the opening session and at each break. Grand Valley State University. Prior to teaching, she had her own business for 2 years, developing training materials of a hotel company. Kristen was the General Manager of a downtown Grand Rapids hotel property. 8:30 Registration/ Continental Breakfast/Coffee She graduate from GVSU with a degree in HTM and has held positions in the industry. She served as president 9:00 Welcome and Opening (Loosemore Auditorium) of the Kent County Lodging Association and on the board of directors for the Grand Rapids/Kent County Priscilla Kimboko, Dean Convention and Visitors Bureau. She is currently seeking a Ph.D. in Education. Patricia Clark, GVSU Poet-in-Residence Kari Kensinger Kari Kensinger, Ph.D., CTRS is an assistant professor of Therapeutic Recreation in the College of Health Profes- Keynote: The Mature Mind: The Positive Power & Creative Poten- sions at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Kensinger is a past president of the Michigan Therapeutic Recreation tial of the Aging Brain Association and has held numerous leadership roles within the American Therapeutic Recreation Association. Dr. Gene Cohen, Ph.D., M.D., Author:The Mature Mind (2006) and She is interested in leisure behavior and the life course. The Creative Age (2001) Paul McConaughy As noted by Donna Chavez, American Library Association on re- Paul McConaughy, MA, is a program leader for the Michigan Nutrition Network within the Family and Con- viewing this new book, “Dr. Cohen has good news for the over-40 sumer Sciences at Michigan State University Extension. He is also the co-chair of the Michigan Vital Aging Think set: older brains can learn new things, and they are actually better Tank (MVATT), a broad, collaborative partnership working to help Michigan communities become more 'elder than younger brains at many types of intellectual tasks. Recent friendly', The MVATT, with support from MSU Extension, the State Advisory Council on Aging, the Office of Services to the Aging, the Michigan Department of Community Health and other partners from around the studies show that the brain and mental capacity continue to grow state, has helped develop an action plan to achieve the SAC's goals of becoming more involved in the Michigan throughout life. This development takes advantage of a lifetime of Cool Cities Initiative, disseminating information on 'elder friendly' community initiatives in Michigan, creating experiences as well as the emotional mellowing that occurs with a toolkit to share with local communities to help them implement local projects, developing new partnership to advancing age and eventuates in the older brain processing informa- promote the report's objectives, and initiating a statewide recognition/award program to support the creation of tion in a manner quite different from and in no way inferior to the elder friendly communities across the state. way a young brain performs. He says that growing new brain cells is a lifelong phenomenon. He identifies four developmental phases of Korrie Ottenwess the mature brain–midlife reevaluation, liberation, summing up, and Korrie Ottenwess, MPA, is the Research Manager for the Community Research Institute, an arm of the Dorothy encore; cannily supplements his data with anecdotes; and all-in-all Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Non-Profit Leadership at Grand Valley State University,where she play an active role in conducting original research studies, as well as secondary analysis of existing data sets and pro- offers a shot in the arm to the hopes of millions who wish to remain gram evaluation activities. She played a key role in the conduct and analysis of the Creating a Community for a vital to the end”. Lifetime survey data, using the standardized AdvantAge survey. This initiative was under the sponsorship of Book Signing follows the keynote address and the audience ques- the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan. These data tions & answers (GVSU University Bookstores co-sponsors this served as the basis for further analysis and development of recommendations for further action to make the event), Hager-Lubber Exhibition Hall Kent County region into an 'elder friendly' community. Dr. Cohen's books,The Mature Mind and The Creative Age , will be Jan Roy available through the GVSU University Bookstore prior to the con- Jan Roy, MSHR, CMP, is a visiting assistant professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management, with over 25 ference, for those who would like to purchase a copy and get it years experience at Chicago hospitality organizations: 5-star Hotel Sofitel, Sheraton International Hotel O-Hare, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, and Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority. She is active in national signed. The bookstore will also have books available for purchase in hospitality associations and serves on committees for Society of Government Meeting Professionals, the na- the bookstore prior to the event, to speed up the on-site book sign- tional Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, and is a past board member of the Meeting Professionals Interna- ing. tional Chicago Chapter. Roy's interest is in leadership styles in lodging, tourism and destination management 10:30 Break (Signing continues until 11:00) organizations. She holds a BS in Hospitality Management, and MS in Human Resource Management & Devel- opment, and is currently completing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. 10:45 Sessions Paul Stansbie 1) Wisdom & Creativity in the Aging Populations Paul Stansbie, MBA, holds his undergraduate degree in Hospitality Management from Southern New Hamp- “Wisdom What Makes Old Age Culturally Young” shire University and his MBA from University of Nottingham, England. He currently serves an as assistant Jing Chen, Ph.D. (Psychology) professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, joining GVSU after 9 years as a senior lecturer in Operations Abstract: Management at the Birmingham (England) College of Food, Tourism & Creative Studies.